68 Moving Packing Tips and Tricks! {to make life easier}

Handle your next move like a pro with these Moving Packing Tips and Tricks that you can’t afford to miss!

Are you planning a move soon? With help from your frugal friends and my own personal crazy cross country moves, I’ve put together some seriously creative Moving Packing Tips you’ll wish you knew about years ago!

Moving is a lot of work, so having some handy tricks up your sleeve is a must! It’s time to get organized, save some money, and get this moving business taken care of!

Let’s get started with these Moving Packing Tips. The heavy lifting can wait for at least 1 more day!

Moving Packing Tips and Tricks

1. Play Music while you work, whether you’re in the house or in the garage. Moving is a lot of work, so spice things up with some fun music!

2. Get Creative with Boxes. I have used a mirror box as a less expensive option for packing a large TV. After first wrapping the TV in a bed sheet to protect the screen, I then wrapped the edges and corners of the TV in large bubble wrap. Then I place this carefully wrapped package into the less expensive mirror box. A mirror box is typically much less expensive than a TV box.

3. Buy in Bulk: Consider buying your Moving Boxes and Packing Tape in Bulk, to save on the per unit cost of each.

4. Buy Uniform Sized Boxes as much as possible, to make loading the moving truck easier. Boxes that are the same size stack way easier! Also, be careful not to make your boxes too heavy. By evenly distributing the weight in your boxes, they will be easier to move and stack.

6. Odd Shaped Items – Don’t forget about the things that won’t easily fit into standard box sizes. For tall floor lamps, after removing the lamp shade and putting in a separate box, consider wrapping the lamp in bubble wrap. After carefully wrapping large photo’s and other breakables, consider moving these in your car trunk or in the back of your SUV. This will help avoid damage that could be caused by movement in the larger moving trucks.

7. Go Heavy on the Bubble Wrap! If there’s one thing you want to avoid, it’s having your valuables damaged, right? I’ve always splurged on bubble wrap when moving, so I know my favorite fragile items are safe and snug in their boxes. Unpacking them and finding them in one piece is always a good thing!

8. Setup YourInternet and Utilities at your new home before you actually move! If you are reliant on your internet like I am, I recommend personally being at your new home when the internet is set up. This will allow you to test it and make sure it is working correctly while the tech from the company is at your home. This will also help avoid any problems caused when the tech “forgets” to actually come to your home!!

9. Ditch the Cable and Watch Movies and TV for FREE! If you’ve been thinking about Cutting Cable TV, now is the time to give it a try! Check out my simple tricks below for Cutting Cable and How to Watch TV and Movies for FREE!

10. Hold a Garage Sale: use my huge list of easy Garage Sale Tips to sell your unused or unwanted items. Then use the cash you earn to pay for your moving expenses, or items you need at your new place! The less there is to move, the easier your move will be!

11. Deals on Moving Trucks: Shop around for deals, and check for AAA discounts and other discounts. I also recommend visually inspecting the trucks before the actual move date. Not all moving truck companies have the same quality of equipment. The newer the truck the better!

12. Reserve Blankets for PaddingYour Furniture, more is better. I typically request 4-6 dozen blankets. This is not a place to cut corners, as the cost of replacing your damaged furniture from poor padding is far worse than paying a couple extra dollars for more blankets.

13. Don’t Wait to Pack Your Kitchen and Bathrooms! These rooms typically take the most time, so pack these days before your actual move. I recommend using paper and plastic dishes for a few days before and after your move. Want a handy tip? Leave your silverware in your tray, and just shrink wrap right around it! Easy peasy!

14. Make Use of Every Nook and Cranny! One of my top moving packing tips is to use every little bit of space you can… empty decorative baskets and waste baskets can be filled with things you need to keep snug. I even filled the empty space in my crock pots up with spices and seasonings! The more compact you pack, the less boxes you’ll need! One of the worst feelings ever is loading up the truck and realizing how quickly you’re running out of space! Don’t ask me how I know. 😉

17. Set Aside Cleaning Supplies for both your old place and your new place. Check out my DIY Homemade Cleaners and Tips for helpful tips that will make your cleaning easier!

18. Fill a Cooler with water, Gatorade and all sorts of fun energy drinks to keep everyone hydrated and energized. Don’t forget fun snacks and food. Keeping everyone happy and energized is so important!

Are you ready for even more awesome Moving Packing Tips? Check out all of these amazing Moving Packing Tips shared by your frugal friends…

Patti said:“I used a ton of these helpful hints when we moved last year – the paper plates between dinnerware is awesome and I even stack them that way in my cabinets since all my dinnerware is hand made by local potters.”

Jessica said:“I’ve moved almost every year for the last 10 years, and finally have down a good system! *Put your quilt and clean sheets and a towel in your laundry basket, and let your bed set-up be the first thing that you do! That way when you are exhausted after travel and unloading, your bed is ready for you to fall into! *Use index cards or “Hello, my name is..” stickers for labeling. I use neon ones for all of my fragile things so that anyone helping recognizes fragile from across the room. *Put cleaning supplies in a shower caddy or Rubbermaid. Won’t leak and they will be handy for cleaning when you get to your new home. *Invite your church to come and help you! We love fellowshipping while the guys jockey for carrying the biggest boxes. *If you know someone who is moving in/out, and you don’t have time to help, take over some popsicles or fresh-baked cookies! They and all their helpers will thank you!”

Shelly said:“I labeled every box. For example “Master Bedroom” or “Kitchen,” then I labeled what was in each box. It was great because our friends were able to unpack our stuff! I know that was sneaky of me, hehe. 🙂”

Carol said:“For a short move wrap towels around your glass picture frames, and tape with packing tape. Then cushion very well.”

Heather said:“Use trash bags for packing clothes on hangers. Then for the last two weeks pick out a weeks worth of clothes and wash the weekend before the move, use your suitcases as boxes. If you have multiples of the same cleaning supplies, you can make two boxes of cleaning supplies. If you have a group of people leaving early with the Uhaul, send a box of cleaning supplies with them for the new place, then keep the second box out to clean the old place before turning in keys or doing a walk through at the apartment.”

Hollie said:“Use bedding linens and towels to pack kitchen and other breakable and kill 2 birds with one stone. Use black plastic bags and leave clothes on hangers and just place the bag around top of clothes. Leave clothes in the drawers of your dressers.”

Alana said:“One of my best Moving Packing Tips is a two day move. Day 1: friends and family move all of the boxes in rented vehicle. Put as many boxes as you can in corners or closets. This way everyone sees your new home and gets to contribute without killing themselves. Extra bonus: no one stops by while your house is in shambles and covered in packing materials. You can unpack anything that gets put away in closets, cabinets and built in shelves. I use those boxes to pack any last minute items like the cat toys from under the dresser, the shower curtain, the drawer I forgot to empty, and my coffee mug! Day 2: Hire movers for the big stuff. They are usually paid by hour and space, so having all of those boxes out of the way saves you a ton.”

Annie said:“We moved on a very tight budget and we spread it out over 2 days. The first day, hubs and I rented a U-Haul and moved all of the boxes and small stuff. The second day we hired a moving company to do all of the big things, beds, couches, tables.. all that kind of stuff. There was no way we could carry all of that stuff down 3 flights of apartment stairs! The moving company sent 3 big guys and for about $400, they saved us a whole lot of trouble! We didn’t have anyone to help us, so this was well worth the cost. Check with local moving companies, they weren’t nearly as expensive as I was imagining!”

Christine said:“Be sure to remove lamp shades and bulbs from lamps before loading them. Lamp shades tear, bend easily, and can be very expensive to replace. Instead, lay them upside down in a box stuffed with soft material around and inside them.”

Sara said:“Planning ahead and labeling will keep you organized and help make your move go smoothly.”

Joan said:“I color coded the boxes with a felt marker. My husband and brother packed the 50 foot Penske truck. Heavy boxes with nothing breakable were coded with a BLACK X, to be loaded on the bottom of the truck. Boxes to be loaded in the middle of the truck were coded with a GREEN X. All boxes with fragile items were coded with a RED X and were to be loaded on top. When all the boxes were hauled out on moving day, they knew quickly to grab the BLACK X’ boxes first. And as everyone else has said, label what is in every box. Very important when trying to unpack.”

Kate said:“I love the idea of paper bags to put cups and bowls in and wrap! I also use up my stash of plastic grocery bags to recycle… a good bunch is great for wrapping breakables or filling in gaps around fragile items!”

JJ said:“If you must buy packaging material, don’t buy the traditional brown paper meant for moving. Buy a giant package of paper towels instead, they are much cheaper and do the same job! When I moved I used as many free boxes as I could!”

Lizzy said:“We move long distance moves every year. Here are some thing I’ve learned to do: 1) Start packing up the toy room/guest room now. This keeps your house cleaner during the next few weeks and you can use that room to store packed boxes. And, the kids are Super excited to unpack all of their toys once the move is done! 2) If you have multiple bathrooms, clean one and lock everyone out. 3) Clean out your fridge a few days before the move. Sure, you might live on cereal and sandwiches for a couple of days. But, it beats cramming the entire contents of your refrigerator & freezer into overstuffed trashcans and scrubbing old spills at the last minute. Also, start eating what you have. It’ll help out this month’s grocery bill & there will be less to move or throw out 🙂 4) Do all your sorting ahead of time. Try to throw things away in the weeks before the move, so you don’t have to pay extra trash fees later. 5) Get rid of any furniture that you don’t like or that won’t fit in the new house. 6) If renting a truck, book it early! 7) If possible, store packed boxes in the garage. It keeps your house from being cluttered and makes it easier for the movers. 8) Label, label, label… not just “Kitchen.” More like, “Kitchen-toaster, place mats, dishtowels” Good Luck!!”

Thomas said:“In 15 years I moved about 20 times from east to west, and north to south, and everything in between. I learned to put the heavy stuff on the bottom and to the front of the truck. Lighter stuff on the top, and plants and other living things like mother-in laws in the back seat, trunk of the car with a blanket to protect your valuables!”

Katie said:“For packing up that LCD TV, we bought U-Haul mirror/art boxes. Our 42″ TV fit in the largest mirror/art box with two layers of big bubble wrap. We also padded the box with beach towels to fill any gaps. It made it perfectly fine in the semi from Florida to Illinois!”

Ruth said:“Make sure to tape remotes to object it goes with, same thing goes with cords.”

Kotick said:“Use socks to fill in small gaps in the boxes of breakables.”

Victoria said:“Best tip someone gave me was to pack a bag with essentials, change of clothes, towels, sheets, toiletries etc… so when you are done moving you dont’ have to look for all that stuff after an exhausting day and you will want to shower and sleep and change clothes!”

Dawn said:“Girl Scout cookie case boxes are a great size for small, fragile items. Not only are they small and sturdy, but they have handles. These are also great for little movers!”

Nancy said:“For hanging clothes, I pull a large garbage up over the clothes, starting at the bottom of the clothes and ending with the open end at the top. That way if anything falls off the hanger, it’s still in the bag. I use the twist ties to hold the clothes hangers together.”

Chris said:“We leave clothes in dresser drawers and load the drawers separately, putting the drawers back into the dresser during shipping. Then we carry out each drawer separately at the final destination. No looking around for lost clothes, they are right where they belong.”

Rocky said:“I generally recycle packing material that I get from others. One of the best things to use for breakables are padded mailer envelopes. The best ones to use are the bubble mailers. Also it’s best when there is no wiggle room in between the contents of your packed boxes. To avoid extra space in boxes, I use my towels, clothes etc. to fill in extra space. This takes care of packing multiple things at once.”

Rhonda said:“I always go to the liquor store and get boxes. They are usually free and have lids on them. They also have dividers that are great for packing dishes and glasses. Also, they’re not too heavy when full. Also, try contacting your local newspaper and get some unprinted new paper. It comes in sheets, so you don’t have to tear it off of a roll. Hope this helps, I have moved at least 20+ times in my adult life.”

Christine said:“Avoid injuries (and medical bills) by lifting boxes and furniture close to your body. Also, lift with your knees and not your back. Be sure to keep your prescriptions handy as well as current bills and paperwork. These are things you will need immediately. Also, plants that you plan to bring along (ideally this should be kept to a minimum) can be placed on the car floorboard with towels around them to make sure they don’t toppel. This allows them to get sunlight through the car windows. Try to give away most of these if you can though. Try taking a picture of an object rather than actually keeping the object. This could be applied to items like trophies, awards, even gifts that others gave you that you really don’t use. Take a picture and let it go. It’s easier to pack a photo than the stuff.”

Elle said:“I rented a truck, packed my own apartment, and hired “loaders” who carried all the heavy boxes and furniture down two flights of stairs, and then loaded it all into the truck. Then, I had the same loaders unload when I arrived at my new place. Moving day was a breeze, all I had to do was stay out of the way! Oh, and it only cost me about $200 for three guys!”

Lorrie said:“Most truck rental companies have to hire drivers to get the rental trucks to more popular locations. So instead of dropping the truck off close to my new home, I chose to drive 30 miles further to a different drop off location and county. Driving those 30 miles saved $700 off the truck rental price on my 1800 mile move.”

Megan said:“For Moving Packing Tips, I recommend getting a larger-size U-Haul than you may think you need. In my experience I always under-estimate the amount of stuff I have, and end up driving the U-Haul on two trips or leading a caravan of friends’ cars carrying the rest of my boxes.”

LL said:“We have moved many times. Here are suggestions to help with the cost. 1. Hire loaders and unloaders on each end, but rent the moving truck and do the driving yourself. This will save you LOTS of money, particularly if you can move during the week or are moving across state lines. 2. Look for online coupons, call for pricing, compare, compare, compare. The loaders we used cost $250 less because we used a pair NOT from the U-Haul site we rented our truck from.”

Missy said:“If you need a moving company, moving during the week is cheaper because most of them have a weekend premium rate they charge. Be sure to shop around for a good price.”

Lolly said:“Invite some strong friends to help you load / unload. Feed them pizza for their trouble; its way cheaper than hiring movers.”

Laurel said:“Every time I’ve moved, and that’s been at least four times, I’ve been on a budget. I’ve always saved the boxes that small appliances and dishes came in, so that’s how I packed them for moving.First, I suggest collecting as many boxes as possible from groceries, stores, liquor stores, (divided liquor/wine boxes are great for glasses and mugs) and work (copy paper boxes). My favorite box is a copy paper box, as it is a uniform size and won’t hold so much that it is too heavy for me to carry. Larger boxes are good for lighterweight items like blankets. For a packing example: a lamp can be packed in a large box with pillows or cushions around it to hopefully prevent breakage.Second, start by packing things now that you don’t need on a daily basis. Take pictures off the walls and knick-knacks off shelves. Wrap fragile things in the extra towels or linens. Pack books in smaller boxes so that the box isn’t too heavy.Third, number each box and label it with the room where it will go at the new home. Be sure to identify the box as fragile when required. Keep a small journal of the numbered boxes and include a little more detail of the box contents.Fourth, if your budget will allow it, for the month before you move rent a storage unit near either where you live now or near where you’ll be moving, so you can get the packed boxes out of your way. It’s also great to get patio furniture, yard toys, and other none critical for daily living items out of the way. If a storage unit is out of the question, then pick a corner of each room to stack boxes.Fifth, pack a picnic basket or box with disposable plates, bowls, tableware, napkins, paper towels, wet wipes, toilet paper, tissues, light bulbs, and whatever else you need to have handy after the kitchen and bathroom(s) have been packed. Also, keep your tool box handy.Sixth, when packing the moving truck, remove drawers from desks and chests, move the shell onto the truck (it’s much lighter that way) and then put the drawers pack in. No need to pack the contents of the drawers in boxes. Upon arriving at the new place, repeat the process: move out the drawers first and then the shell. Once the shell is situated, put the drawers back in.Seventh, put the beds, their linens, and your personal hygiene items last on the truck, because you will want to set your beds up first. You need to have a comfy place to sleep after moving all day, and you’ll want to freshen up a little before you call it a day. Hope this helps!”

Kendra said:“For silverware, band all the forks together and rubber band them. Do the same for the rest of the silverware and put it right back in the tray. Slip the tray into a plastic bag and pack with the kitchen stuff. This keeps everything together for easy unpacking.”

Tara said:“I use foam plates in between my Teflon coated pots & pans to protect the non-stick surface, and also in between my glass casserole dishes.”

Bridget said:“We moved just before Thanksgiving, so I hope I can offer you a few tips. *For free boxes, go to Walmart 1st thing in the a.m. *Keep clothes on hangers and just load them into your car. *Declutter Now! Donate items you aren’t truly using. Goodwill would all love your extra things. *Try to get occupancy rights at least 1 day early, before you have to vacate your current residence. This allows you to get in there and clean, move breakables, etc.”

CC said:“Purge your files by shredding old docs and using them for packing material. Labeling is a good idea. I numbered my boxes, added a brief description, then put a detailed inventory in a spreadsheet. That way I could find my skillet when I needed it. Have a garage sale to make a little cash for the move (it will pay to feed the friends who move you, at the least). Donate the rest. What can’t be donated, put out on a free table. I had a goodbye party so that friends could help us finish the beer and wine we didn’t want to move. Each guest was invited to take whatever they liked from the ‘free stuff’ area. It was silly but fun. Friends made use of all the opened stuff in the kitchen: cereal, various pickles, soy sauce, fish sauce, and other condiments.”

Kristie said:“One thing to remember for Moving Packing Tips, when you pack heavy things like books, use small boxes. The tendency to pack books in a big box will just make it impossible to move.”

Rosalind said:“Use your blankets as cushions for breakables like mirrors. I quilts to cushion glass tables and such. I use everything I have that can do two jobs.”

Jill said:“Label, Label, Label. I am retired military and the last time I moved I had no problem getting boxes into the correct rooms. That’s because of big Sharpie labels on the top and side of each box. BR-1 = Master bedroom, BR-2 = next bedroom down the hall, KT = kitchen, DR = dining room, BA-1 = first bathroom, CL = closet, ST = storage, etc. I hung a sign on the front door with a hand-drawn floor plan and I never had to explain to anyone where the boxes belonged. We had close to 250 boxes (six kids) and it went like clockwork. Good luck.”

Holly said:“Label everything, you just need a black marker, but oh man that is something you will thank yourself for later. Garbage bags are a great way to pack stuffed animals, pillows, etc. Pack a Ziploc sandwich bag full of dog food for the pooch for each meal, and add a couple extra just in case. Pack in order… meaning pack within a month of your move date starting with decorative, then out of season wardrobes, non-necessity items, and so on. Pack down to the bare necessities just days before the move. This also frees up the walls in case you have to paint before you leave.Hope this helps! Happy Packing!”

Emily said:“We bought the different patterns of duck tape, and designated a color per room. Then, we put a square of that color on the side of the box for the room it was to go to.”

Lynn said:“That’s what I do, but with colored dots. The green dots go in the kitchen, the blue dots are for the living/dining rooms, the yellow dots are for the bedrooms, etc. It’s easy to put dots on 3 or 4 sides of the boxes for easy identification.”

Melony said:“I am a interior decorator in Northeast MS and I have moved a lot during the course of my life. It is always helpful to have a moving sale before moving to your new home. Not only will there be less to pack, but you will also have a few extra bucks to help with the moving expenses. Getting rid of old decor that you are not going to use in your new place or clothing that no longer fits means less packing=) You could also use the extra money for new decor! Hope this helps…”

Emily said:“Moving Packing Tips? Purge, Purge, Purge! My husband and I once did a move in 24 hours start to finish. We knew the move was coming at some point, but didn’t know when exactly. I planned ahead by getting rid of a ton of stuff the month or so prior, and that was an enormous help.”

Becky said:“When I moved four years ago after living the same house for 22 years, I decided I was going to do it right.First, I started by getting free boxes from the local stores, I found egg boxes to be the best.Things I wanted to move I boxed and marked, and put the box in the POD that same day.Then, I made a thrift store pile to donate and threw away all the junk.I did a little each day during the week and really dug in on the weekends.Finally, I did not give up and toss things in a box figuring I would deal with it in the new home. Who does that?? It is an excuse. I can honestly say that four and a half years later this house is still fairly organized. When I had the chance for a fresh start, I took advantage of it.”

Bertrice said:“Be cautious about using garbage bags. I’ve heard many horror stories about things being trashed that were not trash.If you have real china dinnerware, do not wrap in newspaper. It will make permanent stains.Use towels and sheets to wrap wall art.Use a marker to write GLASS or UP [with an arrow] on boxes that have delicate items. Back up all your computer data ahead of time.Have a “need it first: box or two, that includes toiletries, a change of clothes, towels, etc.”

Myra said:“Make sure to get a change of address form from the Post Office. There are often coupons for local businesses in there that may be of use for you.”

Laura said:“Have a folder with all your important documents with you. Birth certificates, emergency numbers, utility contacts, etc. As a retired military spouse, one of my jobs was to keep up with that and know where it was at all times.”

Christine said:“To help you get motivated for the move and all the packing, look at the venture as a two week vacation. Pack a suitcase and your minimal toiletries, get some paper plates and plastic cutlery, then pack everything else. I often start with knick-knacks, art on the walls, and draperies. It will make the house look bare right away and help you feel like you’ve got a good grip on the move, keeping you motivated to keep going.”

Sara said:“Having just moved, my best Moving Packing Tips would be to wrap pictures and breakables in your sheets and towels. Everything moved safely, nothing broken.”

And finally, Renee said:“Join the military and they will do it for you for FREE. 🙂”

Want even more creative tips for your home? Now that you’ve loaded up on Moving Packing Tips, get inspired with these fun ideas…

Some companies will help you pack your stuff, others will tell you they have to pack it for insurance purposes. Check that when using a moving company, make sure everything is insured and under said insurance.

As you pack boxes number them on the outside and keep a notebook with what’s inside each box. Then on the box next to the number write a general area (baby room, master bedroom, bathroom etc). That way if you need something specific check your handy dandy notebook to see what number it’s in to find it.

I really like Jill’s tip about using labels when moving. I love her idea about labeling each box by the room that they will go in. Not only do I think that I will use that advice when I move next month, but I think that I might list off some of the important items that are in each box as well. This will help me know which items are the biggest priority in each room, and so I can get to them first.

Declutter is best when you move.
I have gotten myself to basics and things I refuse to part with.
It’s the others who are the pack rats.

With that being said- you know you are moving- the best way to make use of so many items ie: all linens. Towels, sheets napkins, table clothes and off season clothes. Go to the liquor stores and beer- boxes are sturdy to accommodate that weight.
Utilize alot of tape, stickers, etc.

We have moved so many times, used newspapers. Bought paper few times.
Took out the drawers to help move that furniture.

When we moved appliances, same thing- use that space for unbreakable objects after they are loaded. (We didn’t move most, but when we did.)

For the cherished, I put in my car. I didn’t take the chance that anything could possibly not go as planned.

When you unpack, throw out the remaining wrapping material, as you unpack- you have the boxes handy.

Remember, you have already decluttered
Few cloth items should be all that is left.

Use those to pack as you go, remember you still need to accommodate your final stay.
Don’t use them all.

I know some of this has been mentioned, but these are worth mentioning again.
I have helped many people pack, while they insisted following this, they wished they had done this for packing, unpacking and financial.

Shop around for deals, and check for AAA discounts and other discounts. I also recommend visually inspecting the trucks before the actual move date. Not all moving truck companies have the same quality of equipment. The newer the truck the better!